Determination of process-dependent rheological properties of fresh concrete during setting using a suspension/phase-field model

Scientific Conference (2018, June)

XDMF and ParaView: checkpointing format

Scientific Conference (2018, March 21)

Checkpointing, i.e. saving and reading results of finite element computation is crucial, especially for long-time running simulations where execution is interrupted and user would like to restart the ... [more ▼]

Checkpointing, i.e. saving and reading results of finite element computation is crucial, especially for long-time running simulations where execution is interrupted and user would like to restart the process from last saved time step. On the other hand, visualization of results in thid-party software such as ParaView is inevitable. In the previous DOLFIN versions (2017.1.0 and older) these two functionalities were strictly separated. Results could have been saved via HDF5File interface for later computations and/or stored in a format understood by ParaView - VTK’s .pvd (File interface) or XDMF (XDMFFile interface). This led to data redundancy and error-prone workflow. The problem essentially originated from incompatibilities between both libraries, DOLFIN and ParaView (VTK). DOLFIN’s internal representation of finite element function is based on vector of values of degrees of freedom (dofs) and their ordering within cells (dofmap). VTK’s representation of a function is given by it’s values at some points in cell, while ordering and geometric position of these points is fixed and standardised within VTK specification. For nodal (iso- and super-parametric) Lagrange finite elements (Pk , dPk ) both representations coincide up to an ordering. This allows to extend XDMF specification and introduce intermediate way of storing finite element function - intrinsic to both, ParaView and DOLFIN. The necessary work was done as a part of Google Summer of Code 2017 project Develop XDMF for- mat for visualisation and checkpointing, see https://github.com/michalhabera/gsoc-summary. New checkpointing functionality is exposed via write checkpoint() and read checkpoint() methods. [less ▲]

Multiscale Modeling of Discrete Mesomodels for Dry-Woven Fabrics

Scientific Conference (2018, March)

ECCOMAS Newsletter - Computational and Data Sciences in Luxembourg

Report (2018)

Numerical prediction of the rheological properties of fresh self-compacting concrete

Scientific Conference (2017, July 14)

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a high-performance construction material that can simplify classical handling on concrete construction by avoiding the need for additional vibrational compaction ... [more ▼]

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a high-performance construction material that can simplify classical handling on concrete construction by avoiding the need for additional vibrational compaction. Challenges in the use of SCC lie in ensuring optimal operation of the material in terms of properly filled castings in presence of complex reinforcement arrangements, reduction of entrained gas bubbles and limitation of aggregate separation. A major factor influencing the aforementioned aspects is the rheological properties of SCC mixtures under varying conditions (e.g. content composition, mechanical impact, temperature, moisture). This contribution aims at unified constitutive modelling of SCC in the setting stage. Concrete setting describes the transition from fluid-like fresh concrete, which -in presence of time- dependent transport-reaction processes- develops a porous cementitious structure, to hardened concrete showing solid-like behaviour. The constitutive model is implemented using the open-source finite element framework FENICS and applied to a number of benchmark problems. [less ▲]

Monolithic modeling and finite element analysis of piezoelectric energy harvesters

in Acta Mechanica (2017), 228(6), 2251-2267

This paper is devoted to monolithic modeling of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices. From a modeling perspective, piezoelectric energy harvesting is a strongly coupled phenomenon with two-way coupling ... [more ▼]

This paper is devoted to monolithic modeling of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices. From a modeling perspective, piezoelectric energy harvesting is a strongly coupled phenomenon with two-way coupling between the electromechanical effect of the piezoelectric material and the harvesting circuit. Even in applications related to shunt damping, where the attached electrical circuit is passive, accurate modeling of the strong coupling is crucial for proper evaluation of the relevant parameters. The article proposes a monolithic mixed-hybrid finite element formulation for the predictive modeling and simulation of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices. The governing equations of the coupled electromechanical problem are converted into a single integral form with six independent unknown fields. Such a holistic approach provides consistent solution to the coupled field equations which involve structural dynamics, electromechanical effect of the piezoelectric patches and the dynamics of the attached harvesting circuit. This allows accurate computation of the eigenvalues and corresponding mode shapes of a harvester for any finite resistive load coupled to the harvester. The fully three-dimensional mixed-hybrid formulation is capable of analyzing structures with non-uniform geometry and varying material properties. The results of the finite element model are verified against the analytical results of a bimorph harvester with tip mass reported in the literature. [less ▲]

Simultaneous Analysis of Strongly-Coupled Composite Energy Harvester-Circuit Systems Driven by Fluid-Structure Interaction

Scientific Conference (2016, July 27)

A specific class of energy harvester devices is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations [1] of a piezo-ceramic composite structure ... [more ▼]

A specific class of energy harvester devices is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations [1] of a piezo-ceramic composite structure positioned in the flow field. Potentially harmful flow fluctuations are harnessed to provide independent power supply to small electrical devices [2]. Such concept simultaneously involves the interaction of a composite structure and a surrounding fluid, the electric charge accumulated in the piezo-ceramic material and a controlling electrical circuit. In order to predict the efficiency and operational properties of these devices and to increase their robustness and performance, a predictive model of the complex physical system allows systematic computational investigation of the involved phenomena and coupling characteristics. A monolithic approach is proposed that provides simultaneous modelling and analysis of the harvester, which involves surface-coupled fluid-structure interaction, volume-coupled electro mechanics and a controlling energy harvesting circuit for applications in energy harvesting. A three dimensional space-time finite element approximation [3] is used for numerical solution of the weighted residual form of the governing equations of the flow-driven piezoelectric energy-harvesting device. This method enables time-domain investigation of different types of structures (plate, shells) subject to exterior/interior flow with varying cross sections, material compositions, and attached electrical circuits with respect to the electrical power output generated [4]. The space-time finite element model presented incorporates a novel method to enforce equipotentiality on the electrodes covering the piezoelectric patches, making the charge unknowns naturally appear in the formulation [5]. This enables to adapt any type of electrical circuit added to the electromechanical problem. [less ▲]

Numerical Modeling of Flow-Driven Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters

Scientific Conference (2016, June 09)

A specific class of energy harvester devices for renewable energy resources is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations of a piezo ... [more ▼]

A specific class of energy harvester devices for renewable energy resources is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations of a piezo-ceramic composite structure positioned in the flow field [3,4]. In this way, potentially harmful flow fluctuations are harnessed to provide independent power supply to small electrical devices. In order to harvest energy from fluid flows by means of piezoelectric materials the kinetic energy of the fluid first has to be transformed to cyclic straining energy of the piezoelectric material which is then transformed to electrical energy under the presence of an attached electrical circuit representing the powered electrical device or charged battery. This energy converter technology simultaneously involves the interaction of a composite structure and a surrounding fluid, the electric charge accumulated in the piezo-ceramic material and a controlling electrical circuit. In order to predict the efficiency and operational properties of such future devices and to increase their robustness and performance, a mathematical and numerical model of the complex physical system is required to allow systematic computational investigation of the involved phenomena and coupling characteristics. The research is devoted to introducing a monolithic approach that provides simultaneous modeling and analysis of the coupled energy harvester, which involves surface-coupled fluid-structure interaction, volume-coupled piezoelectric mechanics and a controlling energy harvesting circuit for applications in energy harvesting. The weak form of the governing equations is discretized by the space-time finite element method based on a mixed velocity-stress/rate form of the potential-dielectric displacement framework. The space-time finite element [2,3] model incorporates a novel method to enforce equipotentiality on the electrodes covering the piezoelectric patches, making the charge unknowns naturally appear in the formulation. This enables to adapt any type of electrical circuit added to the electromechanical problem. To validate the formulation, the case of piezoelectric triple layer EHD driven by base excitations, as described in [1] is chosen. The closed-form solution from [1] is compared to numerical solution proposed in this work. The variation of the electric potential through the thickness of the piezoelectric patch, assumed to be linear in many closed-form solutions, is shown to be quadratic in nature. The research contributes to the mathematical modeling and numerical discretization of complex multi- physics system in an efficient way which facilitates an ideal basis for precise and transient coupling. This may lead to improved convergence and numerical efficiency in comparison with portioned approaches. This methodology also provides new insights and in-depth understanding on design requirements on such energy harvesting devices in terms of their robustness and efficiency. [less ▲]

Strongly-coupled modelling and analysis of energy harvesting devices

Scientific Conference (2016, March 11)

A specific class of energy harvester devices for renewable energy resources is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations of a piezo ... [more ▼]

A specific class of energy harvester devices for renewable energy resources is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations of a piezo-ceramic composite structure positioned in the flow field. In this way, potentially harmful flow fluctuations are harnessed to provide independent power supply to small electri- cal devices. In order to harvest energy from fluid flows by means of piezoelectric materials the kinetic energy of the fluid first has to be transformed to cyclic straining energy of the piezoelectric material which is then transformed to electrical energy under the presence of an attached electrical circuit representing the powered electrical device or charged battery. This energy converter technology simultaneously involves the interaction of a composite struc- ture and a surrounding fluid, the electric charge accumulated in the piezo-ceramic material and a controlling electrical circuit. In order to predict the efficiency and operational properties of such future devices and to increase their robustness and performance, a mathematical and nu- merical model of the complex physical system is required to allow systematic computational investigation of the involved phenomena and coupling characteristics. A monolithic approach is proposed that provides simultaneous modelling and analysis of the harvester, which involves surface-coupled fluid-structure interaction, volume-coupled electro- mechanics and a controlling energy harvesting circuit for applications in energy harvesting. A space-time finite element approximation is used for numerical solution of the weighted residual form of the governing equations of the flow-driven piezoelectric energy harvesting device. This method enables time-domain investigation of different types of structures (plate, shells) subject to exterior/interior flow with varying cross sections, material compositions, and attached electrical circuits with respect to the electrical power output generated. [less ▲]

Numerical Modeling of Flow-Driven Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Devices

in Ibrahimbegovic, Adnan (Ed.) Computational Methods for Solids and Fluids (2016)

The present work proposes uniform and simultaneous computational analysis of smart, low power energy harvesting devices targeting flow-induced vibrations in order to enable reliable sensitivity ... [more ▼]

The present work proposes uniform and simultaneous computational analysis of smart, low power energy harvesting devices targeting flow-induced vibrations in order to enable reliable sensitivity, robustness and efficiency studies of the associated nonlinear system involving fluid, structure, piezo-ceramics and electric circuit. The article introduces a monolithic approach that provides simultaneous modeling and analysis of the coupled energy harvester, which involves surface-coupled fluid-structure interaction, volume-coupled piezoelectric mechanics and a controlling energy harvesting circuit for applications in energy harvesting. A space-time finite element approximation is used for the numerical solution of the governing equations of the flow-driven piezoelectric energy harvesting device. This method enables modeling of different types of structures (plate, shells) with varying cross sections and material compositions, and different types of simple and advanced harvesting circuits. [less ▲]